Google Sheets is an incredibly powerful tool for managing and analyzing data. Yet, sometimes, we may find ourselves in a situation where we need to keep a cell constant while copying formulas across different cells. This concept is also known as cell locking or absolute referencing. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps on how to keep a cell constant in Google Sheets.
Absolute Cell Referencing
Before we start, it’s important to understand what absolute cell referencing is. When you copy a formula in Google Sheets to other cells, Google Sheets adjusts the formula based on the relative positions of the original cell and the destination cell. This is called relative cell referencing.
But what if you want to use the exact same cell in every copied formula? That’s where absolute cell referencing (cell locking) comes in. When you make a cell reference absolute, it will remain constant no matter where you copy your formula.
How to Keep a Cell Constant in Google Sheets
The process to keep a cell constant involves the use of dollar signs ($). Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Identify the Cell to be Kept Constant
First, you need to identify which cell you want to keep constant. For instance, if your formula is =B1*C1 and you want the cell B1 to remain constant when copied, make a note of it.
Step 2: Add Dollar Signs
Next, in your formula, precede the column letter and row number of the cell you want to keep constant with a dollar sign ($). So, the previous formula becomes =$B$1*C1. After doing this, cell B1 will remain constant when copied to other cells.
= $B$1 * C1
Step 3: Copy the Formula
Now, simply copy this formula to other cells as needed. The referenced cell B1 will stay same no matter where you paste it. Try changing the value in cell B1 and see how it affects all cells where the formula has been copied.
Partial Cell Locking
Sometimes, you may want to keep only the row or column constant. In such cases, you can use partial cell locking. If you want to lock the column, use a dollar sign before the column letter (e.g., =$B1*C1). If you want to lock the row, use a dollar sign before the row number (e.g., =B$1*C1).
= $B1 * C1 // Column B will be locked
= B$1 * C1 // Row 1 will be locked
Conclusion
Keeping a cell constant in Google Sheets can be crucial when working with formulas that require absolute referencing. Remember, the key to making a cell reference absolute is using the dollar sign. Whether you want to maintain the same row, column, or cell across all your formulas, Google Sheets has you covered.